February, this year, saw my 91st birthday come with a cozy, (compared to last year’s huge bash), family party in the evening. There was a delicious, white cake with lemon filling, decorated with red and yellow roses.  Someone brought finger goodies and there were a couple of flavors of ice cream to enjoy.  It was fun.
        91 doesn’t feel any different than 90!

        The other February birthdays on my list are Alice (Bunny) Pfister, who  has been my nephew Gordon’s wife since 1955; Anastasia (‘Tasia) Withrow, the youngest member of our family and our great-granddaughter; and Elija (Eli) Pfister, Gordon and Alice’s grandson.

Bunny Pfister

        ‘Tasia was born February 13, 2006, to Thomas and Heather (Lightfoot) Withrow.  Her full name is Anastasia Thora Withrow…..
 the Anastasia taken to honor her great-grandma Anne (Anastasia) Lightfoot. She and her brother, Skyler, who is two-years-old, are Hildy and Dan’s grandkids.  The Withrow family lives clear across the country in Maryland… a very long way away. We are kept up to date with the kiddies’ growth with many pictures.  Thank you, Heather and Thomas.

Tasia

Skyler

Received Feb. 1, from Kirby Lindsay and Suzie Burke:

        “February 2008 will mark the 50th year since J.P. Patches first aired on KIRO-TV back in 1958. When the show went to the big cutting room floor in the sky in 1981, it was the longest-running kids' show in America.  You know what that's worth? A bronze statue. That's why we're having one made of J.P., Gertrude, and the ICU2TV to stand at the corner of Fremont and North 34th Street. The only thing we're missing is-you guessed it, boys and girls-some nickels and dimes. But listen to this: You can buy a Patches Paver (a.k.a. "a brick") with your name on it, a message to another Patches Pal, or anything else in semi-good taste, and all the money will go to pay for J.P.'s statue. You can come see a model of the statue, shake the real J.P.'s hand, meet Seattle's very own mayor Nickels, and buy one of the first Patches Pavers at a kickoff celebration set for 10 a.m., Saturday, February 10th at Fremont's Red Door Ale House. Kids welcome! Grab your pals and come on down.
         Meanwhile, thanks for minding mommy and daddy, combing your hair, brushing your teeth, sharing your toys, and reading this email.”

        It felt good to read this notice couched in the very recognizable language style of the show we mommies and daddies remember watching with our kids.  We surely wish J. P. was back on the “tube” for the current batch of kids to enjoy.

        Here’s the latest “Bob joke”, straight from the original.. Bob Power.. as will be obvious to those of you who spent weekends at the cabin:

        “Do you know why they wash dirty elephants in Tide?”

The answer will be found below, (but try to answer without looking):
       

 

        “Because, in the kind of weather we have been having, it is too cold to wash them out-‘Tide”

                          Thanks, Bob

        February 3.   I will be 91 tomorrow.  Today, I received an exciting present.  After the ceremonial opening of the new exhibit at History House (34 small museums around King County), Walt Crowley, editor of www.HistoryLink.org, dropped the bomb on me that HistoryLink will be publishing a book of my memoirs... work starting on it in the very near future! They have already used somewhere around 40 of my stories on their website and tell me they think most of the "writing" is already done.  I have never considered a book... writing my bits and pieces... but look forward to it, if it actually works out.

Suzie, Me, Walt Crowley

   Message for Mickie Hilbert... One of our careladies lives on Circle Drive in Lake Forest Park, where your Mom and Dad were living when you and I met.  She and her husband have the property where the Smiths lived (straight across the street from our place). I'm sure you remember Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who were in their 80s, and their son, Harry, about sixty, who roamed the neighborhood on his clubfoot.
         One night when Vern was working swing shift at Boeing, I heard Harry clumping up our sidewalk when I was taking a bath in our laundry tray on the enclosed back porch. Since we didn't have curtains on the back door window, I pulled a bath towel  over my head and pretended I was a pile of dirty laundry until he got tired of knocking and went away.
        The next day saw me making a curtain for the window in the door.

        Our grand-niece, Kirby, is writing for the Herald-Outlook. That keeps her very busy, but is excellent training for the time she lands a contract to write a daily column.
        She will soon be off for a short jaunt to Colima, Mexico, which has become a second home for her.  I will look forward to emails from her from down there, as she always has a wonderful time to share with the home folks.

        Son Paul is busy with physical therapy made necessary by the flurry of heart problems he suffered around the Christmas holidays.  Having two surgeries so close together has meant a long, slow healing time. Hang in there, Paul.  It gets better.

        Son Dave has been rowing a single shell many mornings this winter.  He has often been lucky enough to see a pair of mature bald eagles near the place where Sammamish Slough and Lake Sammamish come together. He has described the early morning stillness, the fun of seeing a hunched-up Great Blue Heron wading in the shallows, in terms that make me wish I could go with him.
         He and Anne (who enjoys being part of one of the eight-man shells that row in competitions) have found a new circle of friends since they took up this sport. They are now included in many bicycle jaunts, hiking trips, and spontaneous breakfasts and/or dinners. ‘S nice.
        Dave usually saves Wednesday afternoon to either visit with us or take one, or both, of us for a very welcome ride. The latest, he took us out to West Seattle, where we enjoyed the beautiful views out over the water and the lovely, old homes with their well cared for yards.
        It was a sunny day.  It always seems extra sunny when you are just out for a fun ride.

        Son John and his wife, Nancy, have been very busy filling in for Paul at History House and keeping up with their own commitments, which include some chores for us.  John does our grocery shopping once a week, and Nan does “whatever”, which means whatever I think needs doing when she is here.
        Nan is having great fun working with/for Nichols Brothers Stoneworks (www.nicholsbros.com) who are casting and marketing her line of decorative garden architecture which goes under the name of “Hiddenwood Hollow” which name was suggested by her niece, Josie Putnam.  My suggestion, “Dinky Doors and Wee Windows”, won second place, and is being used to describe the pieces.
        Nan is also doing original sculptures for them.  Her piece “Latte Kitty” should become a best seller, it’s so cute.

A 9" Dinky Door from Hiddenwood Hollow

Original Latte Kitty sculpture
(A mold will be made from this for casting
in concrete - (yes, the cup, too))

        Daughter Hildy and her husband Dan are slowly recovering from the shock of losing Dan’s Mom, Anastasia (Anne) Lightfoot. Anne’s passing leaves a very large hole in our family.  We all miss that sweet lady.
        Hildy earns my eternal gratitude by coming a couple of times a month to do my paperwork and pay our bills.  Dan is another one who does “whatever” for us.

        We recently learned that our oldest grandson, Paul and Liz’ John- Robin, has left the Navy and is now working for a manufacturer that produces adhesives for the aerospace industry. He does facility maintenance there - including working on the electronic machinery. We were glad to hear this.  His next tour of duty would have taken him back to sea duty.  After three cruises into the area where war is being waged, it’s comforting to know he will be here with his recent bride, Leslie.

        I’d like to remind those of you who read this column that I would love to have you sign the Guest Book and let me know what you think of my effort.
        I would also like to have input with family news that I can pass on. It makes me feel like I am keeping this wonderful family aware of what is going on in each other’s lives.
        Okay! Okay! It is also an excuse for my being snoopy.

Quote for the month (stolen from HistoryLink):
        “I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” Sir Winston Churchill

Dixie/Dorothea, Senior Editor

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